This is how I’d explain it. More specifically this is an example of a concept called a “dummy pronoun” in English. Phrases like “it is clear that…” Or “it is raining” are using “it” as a dummy pronoun. They’re used to express a verb without expressing a subject. in other words, [verb] is happening.
“It is [verb]ing” (as in “it is raining”) can be reinterpreted as “[noun] is happening” (“rain is happening”).
rain is raining
I like this. Explains it fairly well
This is how I’d explain it. More specifically this is an example of a concept called a “dummy pronoun” in English. Phrases like “it is clear that…” Or “it is raining” are using “it” as a dummy pronoun. They’re used to express a verb without expressing a subject. in other words, [verb] is happening.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummy_pronoun
Uh oh - a linguistics Wikipedia article.
And here I was, planning to work.
Planning to work on your linguistics!
French too: il pleut. What is the il pointing to?!?
The (local) universe